ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The U.S. Forest Service says the fire on western North Carolina's famed Cold Mountain was likely caused by humans.
Officials said this does not necessarily mean it was arson, but campfires are not allowed in designated wilderness areas. The fire remains under investigation.
Forest Service spokeswoman Adrianne Rubiaco told the Asheville Citizen Times on Tuesday that the blaze came under control on Monday after 11 days. She also said that the entire Shining Rock Wilderness protected area is now open.
The fire on the 6,000-foot summit was first reported on Nov. 21 and covered about 50 acres. The blaze expanded to 220 acres and forced the temporary closure of the 18,000-acre wilderness area.
Shining Rock Wilderness is now open. Due to precipitation in the area, the Cold Mountain Fire is controlled & considered out. In the wilderness campfires are not allowed & bear canisters are required for overnight camping pic.twitter.com/X8oOhICEKo
— USFS North Carolina (@NFsNCarolina) December 4, 2019
Crews had dug containment lines to stop the fire from spreading to homes.
The mountain is about 35 miles from the city of Asheville.
The mountain has been featured in a popular novel and an award-winning movie. Charles Frazier's best-selling book "Cold Mountain" is about a Confederate soldier's journey through western North Carolina. The book was later adapted into a 2003 movie starring Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger.
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Associated Press
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